Nagaon: Nagaon Police once again achieved a major success. Acting on inputs about a gang preparing for a dacoity, the police launched an operation and managed to foil another possible Morikolong-like incident, saving Nagaon from yet another such crime. Based on secret information received late at night, a special operation was carried out by Nagaon Police in the Borkundali Mikirpar area under the Rangalu Police Outpost. During the operation, a fierce encounter broke out between the police and the criminals (Nagaon Police-Dacoit Encounter).
According to Nagaon Superintendent of Police Partha Pratim Das, during the raid the suspected gang members managed to flee from the spot taking advantage of the darkness. However, one accused opened fire at the police team while trying to escape. In response, police exercised their lawful right to self-defence and carried out controlled retaliatory firing, in which the dreaded dacoit sustained bullet injuries.
The injured criminal was immediately taken to Nagaon Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The deceased has been identified as Moni alias Khairul Ali, confirmed Nagaon Police.
SP Partha Pratim Das further informed that Khairul Ali was one of the prime accused in the Morikolong dacoity incident that took place around a month ago. Several cases of dacoity had also been registered against him in Nagaon and Lakhimpur districts.
Police recovered a 7.65 mm pistol, two empty cartridges, and sharp weapons allegedly used in dacoities from the encounter site.
The deceased hailed from Ward No. 8, Thana Road area of Lakhimpur district. His father’s name was reported to be late Abdul Ali. The incident has created sensation across the area, while police have continued to intensify operations to trace the absconding accused.
It may be mentioned that Khairul Ali, who was killed in police firing, was also allegedly the main accused in the dacoity at the residence of Nagaon-based doctor Dr. Ranjit Saikia in the early hours of May 24. Earlier, another accused in the Morikolong dacoity case, Rajibur Rahman, had been injured in a road accident. Within 24 hours of the Morikolong incident, Nagaon Police had arrested two accused, Omar Ali and Mintu Ali. Later, police conducted operations in Lakhimpur district and arrested Lamba Ali, Rajibur Rahman, and Nur Hussain in connection with the case. Harish Sharma and Satish Shah from Nagaon were also arrested for allegedly supplying information related to the Morikolong dacoity.
Meanwhile, notorious dacoit Khairul Ali, who was killed while allegedly attempting to attack police on Tuesday night, had criminal cases registered against him not only in Nagaon but also in Lakhimpur, Bihpuria, and Gohpur police stations.
Police sources further revealed that Khairul Ali had reportedly been staying at Hotel Star in Nagaon for nearly the last two years and had built an organised crime network in the district. He was also allegedly involved in several theft and dacoity incidents in Nagaon.